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NWS urges preparation during Severe Weather Awareness week

It’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, and meteorologist Ken Graham of the National Weather Service in Slidell offered his time to help break down the jargon and what residents need to know during a severe weather event.

The transition from late winter into early spring usually brings the greatest chance for severe weather in Louisiana. It’s an important time of year for residents to dust off their severe weather knowledge.

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It’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, and meteorologist Ken Graham of the National Weather Service in Slidell offered his time to help break down the jargon and what residents need to know during a severe weather event.

What is the difference between a severe weather watch and a severe weather warning?

"A watch means watch out. Pay attention. Have that information ready. Have a place to go to get that information. If a warning is issued, that's when we're saying you need to take action,” Graham said.

The last couple of years were fairly dull when it comes to severe weather, Graham said.

“In fact, last year (we had) only 15 tornadoes statewide with an average of 37. So we haven't had a lot of activity,” he said.

It’s more of a reason to put extra effort into being weather ready.

"So this week we're going to focus on tornadoes, flash flooding, severe weather, including the hail threat, the wind threat,” Graham said. “We can get a lot of damage even from straight-line winds."

One of the most critical factors to being safe is having a way to get weather information, especially if the threat is overnight.

“If it happens in the middle of the night, (you'd) better have a way to wake yourself up. And that's the time to have a weather radio. People use cellphones -- have multiple ways to get information,” Graham said. “Test the plan. Know what you're going to do in your house (or) business whenever a tornado warning is issued: the lowest floor of your home or business. Get away from the windows. Practice that ahead of time, because it's tough to think during the tornado warning or if a tornado is headed for your home. It's better to practice that ahead of time. Make it second nature."

Graham also points people to social media to follow the National Weather Service and local news outlets to stay informed.

Follow the National Weather Service in New Orleans on Twitter here or like them on Facebook here.